Firefighters rescued a young woman from the River Avon in Bath earlier this morning, after she was spotted by a passerby in the water near Pulteney Weir.
Crews from Bath Fire Station were alerted by police officers following reports that a person was in the water close to Pulteney Weir at around 6am.
Firefighters trained in swift water rescue were sent to the scene along with the crew of the fire service’s safety boat.
Three police officers had located the lady, aged in her 20s, who was clinging on to a small island to the south of the weir.
Inspector Damian Morley, Sgt Andy Gussey and PC Dan Arthur managed to hold on to the woman until the fire service arrived.
Bath Chief Inspector Norman Pascal said “Without doubt their prompt action to throw her a line and to hold her arms, before fire service officers swam across to support her and reach her by boat, prevented a much more serious incident.”
Firefighters in dry suits entered the water and made their way out to the woman.
Once she was secured, an inflatable rescue sled was used to take her to the safety of dry land.
She was met by paramedics on an area of river bank close to the rugby club who provided her with immediate first aid before taking her to hospital.
It’s not known how long the lady had been in the water. She is being treated for hypothermia and is said to be in a satisfactory condition.